The Southern Cross February 2010 Page 11
www.adelaide.catholic.org.au
news
African tale
By Lindy McNamara
A boyhood love of writing and a desire to
reflect on the difficulties faced by his fellow
countrymen has led to the publication of
Prince Masika's first book.
Travelling Between Two Cultures was written
by Prince, 17, while he completed his
Year 12 studies at Cabra Dominican College
last year. In the 100-page read, the book
looks at the poverty, inequality and unjust
ways of the African people, most specifically
for those in his home country of Tanzania.
"I witnessed many things as a child in
Tanzania and I wanted to share my views with
the general public and community," Prince
explained.
For most, the thought of trying to write your
first book while studying Year 12 would be too
daunting but for Prince the one-year project
was well worth the sacrifices he made.
"I've always been intrigued with writing stories
and have always had a wide imagination. I
started writing small stories from a young
age and the stories became more compelling
and innovative as I grew up. It's just a hobby
which I love doing," he said.
Prince added that he received a lot of support
from Cabra's management and teachers
during the book launch, although he never
mentioned the project until he was about to
embark on his Year 12 exams!
Since the publication of the book, Prince has
received favourable feedback.
"Many are surprised to see a young teenage
author writing a book but then, anything is
possible."
Prince was born in the Kilimanjaro region in
Tanzania, East Africa. His parents, Dr Joseph
Masika and Dr Lillian Mwanri brought their
young family to Australia in 1996.
Prince's brothers Patrick and Peter are both
studying at the University of South Australia
and his sister Pauline is a student at
St Mary's College.
Prince plans to attend university this year
and has applied for courses ranging from IT
to creative writing.
Building peace in a new land
By Nick Kerr
We have a choice, says former refugee, Papi
Mulimanya. We can help promote peace or
we can help promote conflict.
Papi, 24, of Blair Athol, is from the Congo.
He has spent much of his life in areas where
there has been fighting or in refugee camps.
His parents and other family members were
killed in Africa.
He is one of six African catechists with
the African Catholic Community who meet
regularly at St Francis Xavier's Cathedral.
Their work includes visiting families from
their own African communities, especially
new arrivals, or where there is sickness or a
bereavement.
Five months ago Women's and Children's
Hospital chaplain, Fr Kevin O'Loughlin, asked
if some of the catechists could visit the family
of a boy, whose family is originally from the
Congo. Neither the young patient nor his
mother could speak English. [For cultural
reasons the boy and the family cannot be
identified.]
Papi and trainee catechist, Perpetue Mpenda,
21, of Parafield Gardens, visited the family.
"We thought that language and loneliness
were going to be the main problems," Papi
said. "But we found the main problem was
food. The boy's mother didn't know her way
round Adelaide and she didn't know where to
get African food."
Neither Papi or Perpetue have cars. They
took the boy's mother to the Adelaide Central
Market by bus and showed her where she
could buy the sort of food she was used to.
"I go to see them three times a week.
Perpetue usually goes twice a week. That
way the boy's mother can talk in her own
language."
Papi is completing a Certificate IV in youth
work and hopes to study social work.
Perpetue has just finished Year 11 and is
finishing Certificate III in aged care.
Papi said he had seen so much killing and
so much violence that he wants to spend the
rest of his life building peace.
"We can, all of us, do that in our daily lives,"
he said. "The way we act, the way we treat
other people, can contribute to a culture of
violence or to a culture of peace. We can't
bring peace to the whole world but we can
bring peace to our little part of the world."
FIRST PUBLICATION: Prince Masika's
new book was launched by Lieutenant
Governor and Chairperson of the
SA Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs
Commission, Hieu Van Le, at Cabra
Dominican College last year.
PEACEMAKERS: Papi Mulimanya, left, and Perpetue Mpenda
Mary MacKillop Place is an oasis in the middle of
Nor th Sydney, providing corporate and private hotel
accommodation with conference facilities, close to the
city - see www.anderledylodge.org.au for details.
We offer a unique, peaceful and safe environment for
a refreshing holiday, retreats and pilgrimages in a sacred
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The Mary MacKillop Memorial Chapel is open daily from
8 am -- 4 pm for visits to the tomb of Blessed Mary
MacKillop. We also welcome you to visit the Museum,
celebrating the life, work and spirituality of Mary
MacKillop, and the Gift Shop and Café. For more
information please see www.marymackillopplace.org.au.
Pilgrimages and retreats at Mary MacKillop Place in
2010 may be booked with Sister Monica Barlow,
02 8912 4818, or via mmp.ministries@sosj.org.au.
7-11 Mount Street North Sydney NSW 2060
PO Box 1081 North Sydney NSW 2059
Tel (02) 8912 4800 Fax (02) 8912 4847
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1800 738 339
Port Road, Cheltenham 5014
www.aca.sa.gov.au
TRANQUILLITY CORNER